Ferrari have denied all reports that team principal Mattia Binotto is set to be sacked, despite the speculation coming from reliable sources.
A number of Italian publications revealed that Ferrari president John Elkann has decided that it’s time for Binotto to go, with Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur tipped as the favourite to replace him from as soon as January.
Vasseur does, of course, have a very good relationship with Charles Leclerc, having been the 24-year-old’s boss whilst he was at the Hinwil-based side.
Leclerc, though, has distanced himself from the speculation surrounding Binotto, with the Monegasque believing the rumours shouldn’t be given “too much attention”.
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“There are always rumours around Formula 1,” said Leclerc.
“I don’t think we should give too much attention to that.”
Given the vast number of mistakes that Ferrari have made this season, in regard to their reliability and strategies, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Binotto does face the axe after Abu Dhabi.
Carlos Sainz has opted not to “talk about” the rumours due to having never been part of a team where the boss has been sacked, something which will therefore be completely new for the Spaniard should it happen.
The Spanish driver perhaps doesn’t think a change of leadership is needed, though, due to seeing a “lot of unity” amongst the Scuderia.
“I haven’t experienced any change of team principal yet and I don’t know how I’ll feel about it,” the Spaniard told Italy’s Sky Sport.
“But as long as they’re just rumours, I prefer not to talk about it.
“I don’t find it necessary because the person who invented it could be someone who doesn’t understand well.
“I am calm, I see a calm team and I see a lot of unity within the team.
“These rumours and criticisms will always be there at Ferrari – it’s been like that for dozens of years. If we do a one-two this weekend, suddenly everything will be forgotten and we move on.”
Ex-Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello has added his own thoughts on the matter, given that he drove for the Maranello-based team during their ‘golden era’.
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Barrichello, of course, partnered Michael Schumacher in red, with the Brazilian believing that to achieve success the side need to “evaluate the mistakes” that have been made this season.
“We have to evaluate what happened with a fast and winning car, but the car is very fast and I hope it continues like that,” he is quoted by Corriere dello Sport.
“For this year, it’s important to evaluate the mistakes made by remembering one thing – you win or lose together.”